Tour itinerary

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. An orientation walk of Lao capital is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city’s most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture. We will observe sunset by the Mekong riverside and experience the lifestyle of the local people.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 2:
VIENTIANE – LUANG PRABANG (Breakfast)

08:00 am. After breakfast we will visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple ofWat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. From there, we will visit the central market known as the ‘Morning Market’ which is a great place for browsing antiques, handmade textiles and gifts.

We will spend the afternoon touring the Lao capital, visiting the National Museum (closed Tuesday) formerly named Revolutionary Museum, which exhibits artifacts, photos, and legends of Laos’s history; fighters and leaders from the ancient times to the new revolution period.

We then board our short flight to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City Luang Prabang.

On arrival, transfer to hotel. After a short rest, we will stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of textiles made by the local and the hill tribe people surroundingLuang Prabang. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousifor an enjoyable view of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient and once royal city and the Mekong River.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3:
LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVE (Breakfast)

08:00 am. We enjoy a short-guided tour to see the city’s oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines ofWat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We board a cruise boat on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On the way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan before we see the royal temple at WatLongkhoun, which once belonged to a royal family patronage nearby Sackarine Caves.

We take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4:
LUANG PRABANG (BY AIR) HANOI (Breakfast)

08:00 am. An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

Following breakfast, we visit The National Museum (closed Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign.

We then visit the silver smith’s and Fine Arts School and the Central Market, which is not to be missed. Transfer to the airport for our flight to Hanoi.

Pick up at the airport by Explore Real Asia’s English speaking guide and transfer to the hotel.

08:00 am. In the morning we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the French colonial styled Presidential Palace, and the historical Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 in honor of Confucius. In the afternoon we will visit the Ethnology Museum, Hoan Kiem Lake (The Restored Sword Lake) and the Ngoc Son Temple, which is on an island in the northern part of the lake, and then enjoy a Cyclo tour along the narrow streets of the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The Old Quarter includes 36 old streets with each name representative of the type of merchandise sold in it. In the late afternoon we will attend a traditional Water Puppet show. This art originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists – men and women – stand waist deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move about, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water. The audience is meant to experience the atmosphere of a village festival.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Note: Please kindly take note that Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (the inside) will be opened only in the morning. It will be closed every Monday and Friday. Besides the outside of Ho chi Minh Mausoleum, you can still visit Ba Dinh square, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s House on stilt, One pillar pagoda as normal. Museum of Ethnography also closed every Monday.

Day 6:
HANOI – HALONG BAY (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

08:00 am. After breakfast, drive to Halong Bay (3 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whoever comes to Vietnam should not miss the chance to visit Halong Bay, a picturesque blend of harmonious transition between the mountains and the sea. Halong Bay is in the Bac Bo (Tonkin) gulf and stretches over an area of 1,500 km2 with three thousand green islands that look like jewels. We will take a cruise on the bay on a traditional junk enjoying a fresh seafood lunch on the boat while experiencing the majestic beauty of Halong Bay. The junk is a wooden sailboat designed in a traditional Vietnamese style while offering a full range of modern amenities. Visit the fascinating Dau Go Cave called “The Cave of Marvels” and Thien Cung Cave, the “Heavenly Palace cave” surrounded by spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.

08:00 am. Have a breakfast on junk. Continue to visit Halong Bay with “Luon” cave. Heading back to Hanoi. Stop on the way to visit Dong Trieu Village (ceramic traditional village).

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8:
HANOI (BY AIR) HUE (Breakfast)

08:00 am. After breakfast we transfer to the airport for a short flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, the local guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the hotel. After check-in and some time for relaxation we continue with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, an impressive royal complex built in the 17th century based on the ancient feng shui practice of geomancy. The Imperial City is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the elaborate Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc.

Overnight in Hue.

Distance: Hanoi Central-Noi Bai Airport: 30 km< => 50 minute transfer

Hue airport – Hue centre: 20 km <=> 40 minute transfer

Day 9:
HUE - HOIAN (Breakfast)

08:00 am. In the morning we will take a dragon boat trip along the Perfume River. We will stop at the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is located on the southwest bank of the Perfume River and was the centre of Buddhism in Central Vietnam. We will visit Khai Dinh tomb and the colorful Dong Ba market. The tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, who ruled between 1916 and 1925, is the last grand imperial tomb in Vietnam. We then head on to Hoi An with a photo stop on the summit of the breathtaking Hai Van Pass. Hoi An old town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site as an example of a well preserved South East Asian trading port of the 15th – 19th century.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Distance: Hue centre- Hoi An: 150 km <=> 3 hour transfer

Day 10:
HOI AN (Breakfast)

08:00 am. After breakfast we will take a walking tour to visit Hoi An Ancient Town: the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, silk street, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance, and observe lantern making in Hoi An.In the late afternoon, we take a boat trip to watch the sunset on Thu Bon River.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 11:
HOI AN – DANANG - (BY AIR) SAIGON (Breakfast)

08:00 am. After breakfast we transfer to Danang airport and a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). On arrival we transfer to the hotel and then enjoy a city tour to visit Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the beautiful French-style Post Office with its glass canopy and iron structure designed by Gustave Eiffel. Continue to Cholon, the Chinese quarter, and see Binh Tay Market with its big clock tower in the centre. Discover the Thien Hau Pagoda, build by the Cantonese congregation in the 19th century.

08:00 am. In the morning, continue to visit Reunification Palace and the War Remnant Museum.

In the afternoon, we will visit Cu Chi, a village 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The tunnel network of Cu Chi became legendary during the 1960’s for its role as a resistance base including more than 200km of underground tunnels, sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, hospitals.

08:00 am. After breakfast we depart to Cai Be. Upon arrival at Cai Be, embark on a private boat to cruise around Cai Be Floating Market to see local people selling, buying, and exchanging goods from their boats. Visit a local garden and house to see orchards, rice crisped producing process, etc... After lunch cruising along river to see peaceful tranquil life of villagers, admire the marvelous natural setting of the Mekong Delta region.

About 3 pm, the boat will arrive at Vinh Long Market; walk around to explore Vinh Long Market before returning to Saigon

08:00 am. In the morning we take a flight to Siem Reap. Pick up at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer your hotel. After a short rest we will visit the floating village of Chong Khneans and take a boat trip to Tonle Sap.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15:
SIEM REAP (Breakfast)

After a breakfast at hotel, We will have an early departure to visit the South Gateof Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch at local restaurant. Visit Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat and view the sunset from Phnom Bakheng.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 16:
SIEM REAP DEPARTURE (Breakfast)

After breakfast, visit Les Artisans D’angkor and local market.

Free leisure time until time to transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure

Trip Inclusion

Accommodation in the category chosen or similar based on double/twin sharing with daily breakfast.

Meals as mentioned in the program. B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner.

All local boat rentals as mentioned in the program. Cruise on Seat in coach (SIC) junk in Ha Long bay. 02 days/ 1 night cruise .

Transfer from and to the airports by private vehicle with A/C. Transportation by private vehicle with A/C.

All entrance fees and sightseeing as mentioned in the program. Mineral Water (01 bottle/pax/day)

Cancellation Policy

a. Cancellations must be advised by email / faxb. The cancellation fees will apply:

Cancelation 30 days prior to arrival date: USD 50 per person will be charged.

Cancelation from 20 days to 30 days prior to arrival date: 30% of total invoice amount will be charged

Cancelation from 10 days to 20 days prior to arrival date: 50% of total invoice amount will be charged

Cancelation less than 10 days prior to arrival date or no-show: 100% of total invoice invoice amount will be charged

Cancellation Policy

a. Cancellations must be advised by email / faxb. The cancellation fees will apply:

Cancelation 30 days prior to arrival date: USD 50 per person will be charged.

Cancelation from 20 days to 30 days prior to arrival date: 30% of total invoice amount will be charged

Cancelation from 10 days to 20 days prior to arrival date: 50% of total invoice amount will be charged

Cancelation less than 10 days prior to arrival date or no-show: 100% of total invoice invoice amount will be charged

Refund Policy

If tour participants buy additional services which are not included in their program, the service fee will be charged on spot.If tours participants cancel some services and / or portion of the tour program at their will during the trip, reimbursements shall not be made for these unused services and /or portions .If in the course of the trip, an illness or mishap befalls a tour participant that entails extra services and /or medical attention arranged by company, all the related additional costs shall be defrayed by the participant himself or herself on the spot.

Refund Policy

If tour participants buy additional services which are not included in their program, the service fee will be charged on spot.If tours participants cancel some services and / or portion of the tour program at their will during the trip, reimbursements shall not be made for these unused services and /or portions .If in the course of the trip, an illness or mishap befalls a tour participant that entails extra services and /or medical attention arranged by company, all the related additional costs shall be defrayed by the participant himself or herself on the spot.

Confirmation Policy

All of our services are to be booked with Explore Real Asia (in short ERA) in Hanoi.A deposit of at least 30% of the tour price per person is required upon a confirmation of your booking.After we received your deposit or full payment, we will issue our service voucher and send to you by e-mail or fax together with our invoice or receipt of your payment.

Confirmation Policy

All of our services are to be booked with Explore Real Asia (in short ERA) in Hanoi.A deposit of at least 30% of the tour price per person is required upon a confirmation of your booking.After we received your deposit or full payment, we will issue our service voucher and send to you by e-mail or fax together with our invoice or receipt of your payment.